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Time--2017 A to Z Theme

My theme for the 2018 Blogging from A to Z April Challenge is "Cleaning the Clutter"--I might literally be cleaning my closets or figuratively clearing the excess from some other part of my life. I'm sure you can think of other things this could mean for you as well.

Always a work in progress--welcome to my blog...

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Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Zoo Movies ( #atozchallenge )

The films that I'll be listing in my April postings may not necessarily be films that I'd call my favorite films, but they will be favorites in the genres I'll be naming. The A to Z genres are very specific micro genres as opposed to the broader genres like action, romance, or comedy.

I'll bet you thought I would have picked Zombie Movies for 'Z'. That is a favorite genre, but it's too obvious. So I decided to go with a tough one. I couldn't think of many zoo movies and actually most of these just have zoo scenes. Maybe you can think of a few others. This is what I've got:

20 Million Miles to Earth (1957)--This is one of my favorites from childhood. An exploratory spacecraft to Venus returns to Earth with a special treat. The cute little Venusian visitor turns into a big monster. The dinosaur-like creature is subdued and taken to the zoo in Rome to be studied. The creature is not happy and creates havoc at the zoo before terrorizing the city of Rome. Great stop motion animation by the legendary Ray Harryhausen. The Graduate (1967)-- To call this a zoo film is a stretch, but there is a brief funny scene at a zoo.Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971)--In this third entry of the original Planet of the Apes series, advanced apes from the future travel back in time to Earth in 1973. They are captured by the humans and incarcerated in the Los Angeles Zoo.An American Werewolf in London (1981)--There is a very funny zoo scene where the wolf turns back into naked man at the zoo. This is one of the best werewolf films ever.Batman Returns (1992)--The Penguin was raised by penguins at the Gotham City Zoo. By the time he has become an adult, this Batman nemesis is still using the now abandoned zoo as part of his base of operations.We Bought a Zoo (2011)--Now we're getting to a true zoo film. This is a heart-warming story about a widower who buys a zoo and moves there with his kids. It's based on a true story.Life of Pi (2012)--Without the zoo and the animals this story would not be. While moving from India to Canada, zoo owning family perishes during a storm at sea with only survivors being one son and a tiger named Richard Parker. An incredible film that is thoughtful and beautiful to behold. Can you think of another zoo movie? Did I miss any animated films about zoos? What are your favorite animals to watch at the zoo?

Hey, Lee, have you ever seen "Secondhand Lions"? A really heart warming movie with Haley Joel Osment, Robert Duvall, Michael Caine, and Kyra Sedgwick. The lion in the movie actually is one too old to perform in a circus and the three come into possession of it. Heartwarming movie filmed in 2003. Ya gotta see it! Great A to Z challenge this year! Thanks, my friend! Love, Ruby

I enjoyed We Bought a Zoo, but I loved The Life of Pi...the book was excellent and the movie stayed true to that. Congrats on reaching letter Z! Thanks so much for all you do to make the challenge happen. I really enjoy it and look forward to next year!

I've seen all of these except 20 Million Miles to Earth. I'm going to need to add it to my queue. I'll throw out Sharktopus and A Town Called Panic although neither are really "zoo movies," the both feature animals as main characters so that might count for something!

Judy -- I never saw Zoolander but from what I know of it, no, it is not a "zoo" movie. Nice try, Judy.

Mshatch -- I thought the zoo scene in American Werewolf... was hilarious. What an awkward position to be in.

Rocky -- There have been more than a few films where a menagerie was accumulated. Calling them zoos could be a stretch.

StMc -- I have seen Altered States but don't really remember it. I should probably watch that one again. Most of my picks only had zoo scenes and did not focus on zoos in anyway. And thank you for being with us in comment throughout the Challenge.

Susan GK -- I originally planned "Zombies" but then decided it was too predictable. But Zombie Movies would be a favorite genre for me.

Hilary -- Animal Farm would have been a good one for Farm Movies--that would be a big genre. Let me know if you do watch any of my recommendations. I'd like to hear what other reactions were to some of them.

I had a feeling that zombie movies was coming up here Lee so this was a nice surprise. I never knew there was a Batman film that centred around a zoo haha, this is so cool. Great job with the challenge Lee, you've done amazing as usual buddy.

Ah, nice list! I can't say I have seen any of these...I thought surely I may have, but I don't think I have. Isn't Madagascar (animated) set in a zoo at first? I just saw previews, but I thought it was.

We Bought A Zoo was a very good movie, and surprisingly emotional. I loved The Graduate, but can't remember the zoo scene. Thanks for hosting another terrific A to Z! I also enjoyed your movie theme, and it's amazing how you kept up with your multiple blogs. I hope you'll be getting some much needed rest now Lee!

We did it!!!!! Thanks for your awesome leadership and your time, effort, encouragement and general wrangling of the team.As to the movies, I've only seen The Graduate and don't remember anything about a zoo...although I love Scarlett Johansson and Matt Damon so I will need to catch that one.Tina @ Life is Good

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A juggler of words and phrases. My main blog is Tossing It Out. The focus blog for the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge can now be found at a-to-zchallenge.com where updates will be posted until the event in April begins.
Wrote By Rote is about memoir writing.
A Few Words is my Sunday contemplation blog.
A Faraway View is about dreams. Pick what you like or look at them all. I love blogging!